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Pitino names Blackshear a Louisville basketball captain

University of Louisville coach Rick Pitino called for more from senior-to-be Wayne Blackshear when summing up the Cardinals' season last month. On Monday, Pitino upped expectations again by naming the forward a team captain for the 2014-2015 season.

University of Louisville coach Rick Pitino called for more from senior-to-be Wayne Blackshear when summing up the Cardinals' season last month.

On Monday, Pitino upped expectations again by naming the forward a team captain for the 2014-2015 season.

"We have great confidence in Wayne moving toward his senior year," Pitino said in a news release. "I'm sure he will continue the outstanding leadership we have witnessed the last four years."

Blackshear, from Chicago, came to U of L as a McDonald's All-American and has overcome multiple injuries to play for the Cardinals. He averaged 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and made 39.5 percent of his 3-point attempts last season.

The Capital One Academic All-District 2 selection also won the NCAA's Elite 89 Award as a sophomore for the highest grade-point average of any player at the 2013 Final Four.

"He deserves a great senior year," Pitino said on March 31. "If he's not, (incoming freshman) Shaqquan Aaron's gonna come in here and bust his tail. That young man can flat out play."

Pitino also called Blackshear "the only player I've had in the past four years that hasn't had substantial improvement" in asking for more from the former star recruit as a senior.

"We've got to turn over a whole new leaf," Pitino said. "For his own sake, he's got to wake up and understand that the world will pass him by if he doesn't live in that gym."